Librarian has her list of top kids books

Meet the lovable, eccentric Casson family living in chaos in the English countryside with their artist mother while Dad must live alone in his London flat to create art. The charm of these books is characterization but they are not lacking in plot. There is always plenty going on in the Casson household, much of it very funny, some of it shocking.

A SINGLE SHARD: Linda Sue Park. Grades 5-8.

One 1,000 years ago, a little Korean village was known for its pottery's beauty. Tree-ear is an orphan who works to become a great potter's apprentice. His hopes lie in a piece of broken pottery.

THE TEACHER'S FUNERAL: A COMEDY IN THREE PARTS. Richard Peck. Grades 4-8.

Russell views the teacher's funeral as his ticket to freedom. Never did he imagine the replacement would come so fast, not to mention from his own house.

THE RIVER BETWEEN US: Ri chard Peck. Grades 5 and up.

In 1916, a teen accompanies his father on a road trip to Illinois in a Model T to see his father's folks at home on the Mississippi River. There Grandmother Tilly reveals experiences in the Civil War.

BECOMING NAOMI LEON: Pam Mun Ryan. Grades 4-8.

Shy Naomi lives with Gram and little brother Owen when their mother shows up determined to take Naomi but not Owen. Gram decides to take them to find their father in Mexico.

LOSER: Jerry Spinelli. Grades 4-6.

If there is a novel that can teach compassion, perhaps it is this one. Zinkoff is not without his challenges, but it is in fourth grade that he is labeled Loser. He shines for his resilience.

SO B. IT: A NOVEL: Sarah Weeks. Grades 5 and up.

Heidi knows you don't have to be perfect to love and be loved. She lives with a severely mentally disabled mother and an agoraphobic neighbor. When she is 12, she decides to search for who she is, even though it means taking a cross-country bus trip alone.

LISTENING FOR LIONS: Gloria Whelan. Grades 4 and up.

Rachel is 13 when her missionary parents die in the flu epidemic in Africa. Rich neighbors come to bring her to their home. Is it possible that they expect Rachel to pretend she is their daughter?

TADPOLE: Ruth White. Grades 4-8.

Four sisters live in Kentucky, poor but happy. Their guitar-picking cousin comes to visit to get away from a cruel guardian. The family fights for him, but it is 1950. The authorities have other ideas.

EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS: Deborah Wiles. Grades 4-7.

Comfort Snowberger is writing a funeral etiquette book. She lives in the family funeral home. What will happen when she has to choose between what she loves most and what is right?

Teen: